Forging…
I kept forging.
I kept forging until every crack was filled into place.
I kept forging until every flaw stopped resisting and started obeying.
I kept forging until the metal forgot it was ever meant to be gentle.
I kept forging until heat felt permanent and pain felt necessary.
I forged, until nothing soft survived.
Not even me.
…But then... if not me… then who?